ALLEN CHEN
June 23, 2024
A Little Adventure in Europe
It was our first time extending our travel footprints into Eastern Europe. Thanks to a direct flight to Prague, we decided to spend two weeks in the Czech Republic and Croatia. After a fourteen-hour flight, we were standing on the European continent again.
Our trip was divided into two parts: the first eight days in Croatia and the last eight days in the Czech Republic. In Croatia, we moved around by rental car, while in the Czech Republic, we made the most of its public transportation systems.
We made several new attempts during this journey. The first was booking apartments instead of hotels for our stay in Croatia. It turned out that staying in apartments brought more fun, especially when we didn’t want to dine in restaurants. While cooking in apartments never guarantees better meal quality, it provides authentic experiences similar to those of the locals.
The second attempt was booking flights with a budget airline in Europe. Due to the long distance between the Czech Republic and Croatia, traveling by air was far less time-consuming, and budget airline tickets were comparable in price to train or bus tickets. The only caveat is that budget airlines are more susceptible to rescheduling their flights. Our flight was postponed by four hours, and the boarding gate number on the app differed from the one displayed on the airport departure screen. Maintaining a flexible schedule when traveling with budget airlines is always a good practice.
The third attempt was attending a concert during our stay in Prague. A quick Google search for “concert” revealed many concert halls to choose from. Unlike official concerts, which last two hours, these performances are tailored to suit tourists’ needs. Orchestra, opera, and ballet are intertwined throughout the one-hour performance, offering the audience an immersive experience in a historical building.
The best part of this journey was the people we met. With improved English skills and an open mindset, I found myself more comfortable and relaxed when talking to people. The Vietnamese lady sitting next to me on the plane, the Bosnian shepherd on the roadside, the English old lady on the boat ride, the young man at the hotel reception in Prague, the Irish and Chinese couple from Mallorca at the same hotel, the Ukrainian on the bus, the Czech from whom we rented bikes, and the Austrian who lent us an adapter to charge our drained phones on the bus. They all enriched our journey and made it so unique that each encounter deserves an interesting anecdote.
Time flies. Unknowingly, we have come to the end of this journey. I will never forget the glamorous landscapes in Croatia and the pastel-colored buildings in Prague. I appreciate everyone we met and those who lent us a helping hand. We took beautiful memories home, hoping to leave a good impression of Taiwan on the people we met. I know for sure that the clock is ticking for our next journey!
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CHRISTINE HSU
Apr. 19, 2024
An Unexpected Gift
“Mom, it’s my 30th birthday this March. I want to take you abroad to celebrate,” my elder daughter Emily told me one day in February. I replied lightly, “How wonderful.” Little did she know that her sweet words had already brought tears to my eyes.
When we planned the trip to Sabah, Emily asked if I could join her company's trip to the Philippines in mid-May as she needed a partner to share the room fee. It was only two months after the trip to Sabah, so I wondered if I could take another three days off so soon. Considering the trip expense of NTD 20,000 wasn't much, I told her I was in. To my surprise, she replied that she would pay for it as a Mother’s Day gift. My eyes welled up again.
Thirty years ago, on March 1, the day she was born, was the darkest day of my life. We eagerly anticipated our first child and warmly welcomed her into our lives. Beneath her brilliant eyes was a large hole through which I could see her throat. At that time, I wouldn’t dare to think of her future, let alone imagine that she would one day travel abroad with me twice in a year.
We flew with Asia Airlines to Sabah for a five-day trip on March 20. Emily and I registered for two local tours: island hopping and visiting Mount Kinabalu National Park. We stayed at the Hyatt Regency, so I spent half a day enjoying the luxurious swimming pool and walked to the Floating Mosque with my husband while Emily joined a group for diving. It had been over five years since I last traveled abroad, so everything at the airport fascinated me. The flight was small, and we had to pay extra for our meal, but looking at the sky from the plane was still thrilling.
Navigating Sabah was easy, as many people spoke Chinese. I didn’t even feel like I was in a foreign country. To my surprise, finding vegetarian food in Sabah was not as difficult as I had expected. We could order fried vegetables and tofu at many restaurants. A large vegetarian restaurant was just near our hotel, where we had an enjoyable dinner the day before we left.
Our trip wouldn’t have been complete without visiting the islands. Emily and I explored two islands, enjoying snorkeling and hiking in the forest. It was my first experience snorkeling in the sea, and watching the fish swim freely was incredibly relaxing. Riding an ATV on a dirt road, however, scared me. Controlling the ATV was too difficult for me, so I could only sit behind the coach to complete the dusty journey. Nevertheless, having my daughter’s company made me happy no matter what activities we did, and I was truly grateful for her generosity.
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🔼Island hopping Mount Kinabalu National Park▶ 🔽ATV |
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Seizing the Chance
“Do you see any members running in front of us?” the visually impaired runner, Han, asked me as we ran up the hill.
“No, they are far behind us,” I swiftly replied.
“Do you want to seize the chance to win this game?” Suddenly, I was speechless, doubting if I could make it. Han continued, "You didn't slow down even on the steep slope. I believe we could beat the other runners."
His words inspired me, and I answered without hesitation, “Okay, I will do my best. Let’s go for the championship.”
To get certified as a guide runner, I had to complete 20 service sessions at Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, attend training classes, and guide visually impaired runners through five marathons. Last Sunday, Han and I participated in the 25th Taiwan Outdoor Feng Guei Zui Marathon, my second of the five marathons. Han had injured himself running down a steep slope a few years ago, so our plan was to take it easy due to the challenging hills. He had stopped attending such marathons after that severe injury but decided to participate again because I was one of the volunteers who walked him home after our regular practices.
In that early morning, we both committed to running for fun until we reached the hill, and Han noticed that I could do better. I told him that in the past month, I had run 30 kilometers twice and hiked almost every Sunday. With 15 years of running experience, Han knew we could win first place. We maintained our pace and stayed in the lead until the last kilometer. Han heard someone running right behind us and knew it was our competition. We decided to run as fast as we could to the finish line. Without a doubt, we won the championship. I immediately scanned the QR code to download the results and shared my honor and excitement with family, friends, and my guide runner group.
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Winning this marathon was not only a personal triumph but also a testament to the incredible teamwork between Han and me. His precise control of our pace ensured we had the energy to sprint to the finish line. Beyond the victory, I learned valuable lessons about running faster and efficiently navigating supply stations. This experience reaffirmed the power of perseverance and support, highlighting how seizing the chance can lead to extraordinary achievements.
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JEAN LAI
June 30, 2024
Sharing and Listening
To build a harmonious family, I believe that sharing and listening are two of the most indispensable factors. Whether it is between married couples, parents and children, or even for those choosing a future partner, the willingness to listen and share is essential.
Sharing is not just about venting negative emotions; it is more about exchanging each other’s happiness. This includes sharing funny moments from your day, academic achievements, career fulfillments, and the growth processes of children.
Listening demonstrates care, understanding, support, and respect for the speaker, whether it is your spouse or children. The more you listen to them, the more they will be willing to share with you. This promotes communication, establishes trust, and enhances mutual feelings.
In summary, sharing and listening are fundamental exercises connected to each other in our daily lives. Through practice, we can understand each other better and maintain stronger and happier relationships within our family.
Katherine Wang
June 28, 2024
A Diligent Life Embracing the Present and Future
I have always considered myself a diligent person. This trait likely stems from my childhood environment and family upbringing. I was born during the baby boom years when people were hard-working, pursuing wealth, and striving to become rich. During that time, industriousness was a fundamental element of life.
As I grew up, whether in school, in marriage, or at work, I tried to demonstrate my abilities to meet required standards. Although my results were often average, sometimes I didn't push myself to achieve more and instead found comfort in accepting mediocrity, telling myself, "The sun will still rise tomorrow." These situations occurred repeatedly. Reflecting on the past, I realize that I adopted an easygoing attitude to avoid driving myself crazy.
Retirement has been a pleasant time for me. I enrolled in various classes to pass the time, made and chatted with friends, and explored new interests. Over the years, I have learned many things beyond my imagination, such as different viewpoints, lifestyles, habits, family relationships, and the stock market. These experiences exceeded my expectations. I learned that listening and respecting others are essential behaviors for getting along well with people. During this period, I also became a grandmother, which I consider my highest accomplishment. Although I occasionally fantasize about choosing a different path and not getting married if I could live my life over again, it remains just a personal daydream.
As I age, I recognize that my DNA is embedded in my mind and spirit. I keep reminding myself to appreciate what I have, improve my shortcomings, and create a roadmap for a fulfilling life. My guidelines are as follows:
I always tell myself, "Every day is a bonus. Have a nice day every day."
LORETTA CHAN
Feb. 24, 2024
Dental Care for the Senior
There is an old saying that if elders have firm teeth, it might reduce the blessings for their children and grandchildren. My children needn't worry because their mother has had dental issues.
I have experienced tooth decay, gum inflammation, root canal treatments, dental crown installations, teeth extractions, dental bridge replacements, and implant surgeries. It seems I have not taken good care of my oral hygiene, despite making great efforts since I was young. Perhaps I have done something wrong, but I highly suspect it is related to genetics. Among my three sisters, one's original teeth are in perfect condition at 70—similar to our father—while the others, including myself, have suffered serious teeth problems for many years, similar to our mother. The two of us always try much harder to maintain our oral hygiene than the majority.
Let's review several essential tips for elderly dental care that should be part of everyday hygiene routines:
Tip 1. Brushing
Tip 2. Flossing
Tip 3. Regular Dental Visits
Tip 4. Hydration
Tip 5. Healthy Eating
Tip 6. Limiting Sugary and Acidic Foods
As we age, dental care is crucial for maintaining our overall quality of life.
